5 Bedtime Books Selected by Lauren H. Kerstein, Author of Rosie the Dragon and Charlie Say Good Night
The Children’s Book Review
Let’s face it, bedtime can be the sweetest of moments or complete chaos. And some nights, bedtime is both. So how do we ensure an enriching bedtime experience versus an exhausting one?
BOOKS!
Incredibly satisfying books!
Some of my favorite bedtime memories are of sweet snuggles with my girls reading our favorite stories. The following treasures offer a chance for laughs and love and will entertain adults and children alike.
Written by Bianca Schulze
Illustrated by Samara Hardy
Ages 3-7 | 32 Pages
Publisher: Clever Publishing | ISBN-13: 9781949998641
DON’T WAKE THE DRAGON features a sound-asleep dragon who should NOT be woken up under any circumstances! Parents and children will love the playful text, humor, and opportunity to sing a gentle lullaby. This book contains one of my favorite lines of ALL time, “If you wake the dragon, you take the dragon.”
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Rosie the Dragon and Charlie Say Good Night
Written by Lauren H. Kerstein
Illustrated by Nate Wragg
Ages 4-8 | 40 Pages
Publisher: Two Lions | ISBN-13: 9781542018487
ROSIE THE DRAGON AND CHARLIE SAY GOOD NIGHT stars Rosie, the dragon who will do anything to avoid bedtime. (You might have a dragon just like Rosie in your house.) But don’t worry! Tonight, Charlie is prepared with his lists, rules, and a fire extinguisher—everything a boy needs to help his pet dragon (and best friend) settle into a peaceful night’s sleep. Snuggle up with this adorable duo as they conquer bedtime the best way: together!
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Written by Nikki Grimes
Illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon
Ages 4-8 | 40 Pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky | ISBN-13: 978-1492638322
BEDTIME FOR SWEET CREATURES offers a wonderful, imaginative bedtime adventure. It’s bedtime, but Mommy’s sweet creature isn’t tired. From tigers to squirrels to snakes, the little boy dodges around his bedtime, until he is tired enough to finally sleep. His imaginative animal friends weave their way through the illustrations, eventually joining him in curling up for the night. This book is layered with terrific and relatable bedtime challenges and adventures.
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Written by Bunmi Laditan
Illustrated by Thomas Knight
Ages 4-6 | 32 Pages
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux | ISBN-13: 9780374301231
THE BIG BED turns the classic struggle of children sleeping in their own beds upside down. This humorous, clever story is about a girl who doesn’t want to sleep in her little bed. She presents her dad with his own bed—a camping cot!—in order to move herself into her parents’ big bed in his place. This humorous bedtime story is sure to be a favorite for adults and children alike.
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Written and Illustrated by Sandra Boynton
Ages 0+ | 24 Pages
Publisher: Workman Publishing | ISBN-13: 9780761119753
PAJAMA TIME! Is truly our family’s favorite. Talk about a timeless bedtime book! This rollicking, rhythmic read is fun for the whole family. I mean who doesn’t want to sing and dance at bedtime?! It’s time to head to bed-to the beat: Pajammy to the left. Pajammy to the right. Jamma jamma jamma jamma P!J! Everybody’s wearing them for dancing tonight. Jamma jamma jamma jamma P!J! This fun read even offers a way to help your children regulate their bodies from energized… to sleepy in the most magical of ways.
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The book list 5 Bedtime Books That Will Entertain Children and Adults Alike was curated by Lauren H. Kerstein, an author and psychotherapist. She’s a Jersey girl at heart who currently lives in Colorado with her husband, their two dragons…er, daughters, and their rescue dog. Lauren is the author of the Rosie the Dragon and Charlie picture book series (Illustrated by Nate Wragg/Two Lions). Her latest picture book, HOME FOR A WHILE (Illustrated by Natalia Moore/Magination Press) moved into bookshelves on February 2, 2021. Lauren also writes books in her field about sensory challenges, emotion regulation, and flexible thinking. Lauren is one of the founders of #ReVISIONweek, a judge with Rate Your Story, runs a critique business, and is a long-time member of 12×12 and SCBWI. Visit her at www.LaurenKerstein.net, and follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@LaurenKerstein), and Facebook.
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